THE AUTO SCANNER: What's the deal behind this state 'documentation fee'?

By Larry Rubensteinscanauto@aol.com

Monday

Sep 10, 2018 at 6:00 PM

Your car care questions answered by repair expert Larry Rubenstein.

Q: This is not a mechanical problem, but I can't find an answer. The last few new car purchases I've done, I'm being stopped by the closing of the deal. Two local dealers have added a substantial "documentation fee" to the purchase price after the deal was negotiated.

The sales managers, in both instances, claims this was to cover a Massachusetts state "requirement" for them to maintain records of the auto purchased for seven years.

I refused and told them that was their overhead problem and they removed it. I had no luck in contacting the state to find out about this requirement.

Are you aware of this "ploy"? George G., Lynn, Massachusetts

A: This question brings me back quite a few years, to when I was faced with the same surprise expense when purchasing a car. As far as I know, the state does not require the dealer to charge a documentation fee. The dealer does have to document the sale, but in my mind that should be included in the overhead the seller uses to realize what profit he has to make when he puts a sales price on the car.

In my case many, many years ago, it was a deal-breaker. Heck, I was only 17, and when the sales guy wanted another $50 beyond the agreed-upon price of the car, I knew I could not afford that, and kind of felt like I was blindsided. I walked out on the deal, and just about as I reached the street, the salesman called me back, said he would waive the fee, but don’t tell anyone he waived it.

So I got my used 1963 Buick, and the salesman hopefully learned he cannot blindside customers with additional fees after the price of the sale has been established. Keep in mind; the dealer needs you a lot more than you need him. If, as a customer, you don’t feel you are getting the respect and courtesy you deserve, walk away. There are many more people that would like your business.

Q: I have questions regarding two vehicles. One is a 2007 Kia Sedona. Lately, the headlamps have been burning out within a few months of replacing.

The other is a 2006 Hyundai Tucson. During the last six months or so, it has stalled out about a dozen times when I've been stopped, sometimes facing uphill, and other times on level ground. The tach idles at 500 rpm. Sometimes the idle surges fast, and then slow again.

I added dry gas because I thought there might be water in the tank. That seemed to help short-term. Today with a 3/4-full tank of gas, it did it again on level ground.

A: Concerning the Kia headlights, have a charging system check performed. If the voltage is going over 15 volts, the charging system needs to be repaired. The bulbs are getting too much voltage and burning out the headlights.

Concerning the Hyundai, you either have a vacuum leak or the idle air control motor may be dirty and or lazy.

Car Care Tip: A tip from my friend Mike -- “When checking for rattles from the back of the vehicle, make sure you check your spare tire jack for not being locked down properly and floating around in the trunk.” Thanks for the great tip, Mike.

Submit car questions to scanauto@aol.com. For more tips and seasonal articles, visit Rte. 1 Auto Service's Facebook page at facebook.com/Rte-1-Auto-Service, or the shop's website at rte1autoservice.com. You can hear Larry and his son Scott on WBZ's NightSide.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Wicked Local Kingston ~ 182 Standish Avenue, Plymouth, MA 02360 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service